Press Tender

Leggett & Platt; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Leggett & Platt in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a Press Setup Technician to prepare press and extrusion equipment for production, support product changeovers, troubleshoot dies and machines, and help keep operations safe, efficient, and focused on quality.

This hands-on role requires 2–5 years in manufacturing, a high school diploma, forklift certification, and the ability to measure accurately; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2–5 years in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with machine setup and production changeovers; dies, presses, or extrusion equipment preferred.
• Forklift certification.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, disassemble, install, adjust, and troubleshoot dies on press and extrusion equipment.
• Prepare machines for product changeovers and verify setup accuracy.
• Start equipment, monitor operation, and respond to issues.
• Use measuring equipment to confirm product quality.
• Monitor scrap and report process abnormalities.
• Support preventive maintenance and safety compliance.
• Train and cross-train employees and promote teamwork.
• Collaborate with Production, Tool & Die Maintenance, Quality, Shipping, and management.

Skills

Machine setup

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Leggett & Platt’s overall mission is a commitment to enhance lives – by delivering quality products, offering empowering and rewarding careers, and doing our part in bringing about a better future.

Leggett & Platt’s inventive heritage and leadership span more than 130 years. Leggett & Platt has divisions that design, manufacture, and sell a variety of products for all areas of life. Our reliable product development and launch capability, coupled with our global footprint, make us a trusted partner for customers in the automotive, furniture, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile and geo components industries.

A Leader in the Upholstered Furniture Industry

In our Furniture Components business, we design, manufacture, and distribute a wide range of components and finished products that enhance comfort, motion, and style in upholstered furniture, including recliner mechanisms, seating support systems, and sofa sleeper units. With a global footprint that includes international manufacturing, product development, distribution and sales, we are strategically positioned to support upholstered furniture manufacturers around the world.

Learn more about Furniture components: Furniture

We, at Leggett & Platt Inc., are searching for a Press Setup Technician to join our Vertex Fasteners team in Des Plaines, Illinois. In this hands‑on manufacturing role, you will prepare press and extrusion equipment for production, support product changeovers, troubleshoot die and machine issues, and help keep operations safe, efficient, and focused on quality. Your work will directly support reliable production and a strong team environment.

What will you do as a Press Setup Technician?

• Assemble, disassemble, install, adjust, and troubleshoot dies on press and extrusion equipment.
• Prepare machines for product changeovers and verify setup accuracy before production startup.
• Start equipment, monitor operation, and respond to machine, die, material, or product issues.
• Use measuring equipment accurately to confirm products meet established quality standards.
• Monitor scrap and production concerns, report process abnormalities, and support corrective actions.
• Perform and document preventive maintenance activities that support equipment reliability.
• Promote safe work practices, good housekeeping, and compliance with safety and quality requirements.
• Assist with employee training and cross‑training while supporting teamwork and clear communication.
• Work closely with production, Tool & Die Maintenance, Quality, Shipping and Receiving, and management.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with machine setup, troubleshooting, and production changeovers; experience with dies, presses, or extrusion equipment is preferred.
• Forklift certification.
• Ability to measure accurately, identify problems, and organize work priorities.
• Working knowledge of preventive maintenance and safe manufacturing practices.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, leadership, and team‑building skills.
• Ability to multitask, work independently, and interact effectively with employees at all levels.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.

Our Values

Our values speak to our shared beliefs, and describe how we approach working together.

• Put People First reflects our commitment to safety and care of each other, learning and development, and creating an environment of mutual respect, empathy and belonging.
• Do the Right Thing focuses us on acting with honesty and integrity, delivering the results the right way, taking pride in our work, and speaking the truth – good or bad.
• Do Great Work…Together occurs when we engage without hierarchy, collaborate as a team, embrace challenges, and work for the good of all of us.
• Take Ownership and Raise the Bar demonstrates our responsibility to add value and make a difference, challenge the status quo and biases to make things better, foster innovative and creative solutions to drive impact, and explore new perspectives and embrace change.

Our Commitment to You

We’re actively taking steps to make sure our culture, processes and practices promote equal opportunity for all. Join us!

We welcome and encourage all applicants to apply. We’d love the opportunity to consider you.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer

For more information about how we handle your personal data in connection with our recruiting processes, please refer to the Recruiting Privacy Notice on the “Privacy Notice” tab located at http://privacy.leggett.com

Applicants in the United States:

Leggett & Platt Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need accessibility or assistance to apply for career opportunities through this site, please email us to ensure your inquiry is directed to a member of the Human Resources Staff.